The first ever meeting of all African Jesuits studying in the province of Jesuits in English Canada was hosted by Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) on September 25th and 26th, 2009. This was a meeting of great significance not just as a first but also because it brought together Jesuits from different African countries and Jesuit provinces to reflect on Africa within a Canadian context.

The meeting in Toronto wanted to explore how we can contribute from Canada to greater reconciliation, justice and peace in Africa. The 10 participants came away from the meeting with a greater understanding of the roles they can play as part of the ecumenical and larger community in Canada. One of the inspirations that led to the meeting was the Synod of African Bishops taking place in Rome from October 4th to 25th. The Synod is looking at the role of the Church in Africa and how the rest of the Church can be in solidarity with the continent. The theme of the Synod is "The Church in Africa at the Service of Reconciliation, Justice and Peace".

Hosted by the Province of the Jesuits in English Canada, a number of African Jesuits receive part of their Jesuit formation or other education in Canada. They are priests and scholastics who are in Canada from one to five years and come from all over Africa from a variety of educational backgrounds. While in Canada, African Jesuits can be a vehicle for expressing the experiences and priorities of the communities, nations and provinces they come from.

We wanted to find ways to tap this rich resource to give voice to the hopes and aspirations of people in Africa. Accordingly, one of the meeting’s major objectives was to create a platform for greater involvement of African Jesuits in the work taking place in Canada in solidarity with Africa. Another objective was to create a network of support and resources for the African Jesuits while they are in Canada and after they return to their respective provinces. Fr Jim Webb, Provincial of the Jesuits in English Canada, attended part of the meeting. He said this could be a forum for the African Jesuits to guide the work of Canadian Jesuits International and the English Canada province in Africa and in solidarity with Africa.

Jim Davis of KAIROS joined us for part of the meeting and shared with us some of the advocacy work that KAIROS and its partners are doing in Canada and in Africa on a variety of issues including resources extraction and climate justice. KAIROS is a Canadian ecumenical organization focused on advocacy and solidarity work on justice and peace.

The meeting was evaluated very positively by all participants. Many shared how significant it was for them personally and also as a step toward building greater justice and peace in Africa.

Over the coming months, Canadian Jesuits International will be reflecting on the next steps to build on what was started at this meeting.

Attending the meeting over the weekend were Lukasi Amoussou (Benin), Loua Hyacinthe (Guinea), Mathieu Bere (Burkina Faso), Bokouamaanga Hughes Christian (Congo Brazzaville), and Boniface Mbouzao (Cameroon) all from the West Africa province; Kelvin Mulenga Chonzi (Zambia) and Ackson Mooya (Zambia), both from the Zambia-Malawi province; Hasiniainia Rakotoarisoa (Madagascar) from the Madagascar province; William Mbugua (Kenya) from the Jesuits in English Canada province; Jean-Baptiste Kikwaya (Congo DRC) from the Central Africa province. Visit our website regularly to learn more about the work of these Jesuits and the provinces they come from.